The serene town of Wuzhen in China’s Zhejiang province once again plays host to global digital leaders, as the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit focuses on building an open and inclusive digital future. Delegates from over 130 countries have gathered in the centuries-old water town to discuss how digital technologies can drive global cooperation, inclusivity, and innovation, according to China Daily.
This year’s theme — “Forging an Open, Cooperative, Secure and Inclusive Future of Digital Intelligence — Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace” — highlights the summit’s ambition. Leaders from government, business, academia, and civil society are debating how to ensure digital progress benefits everyone, rather than deepening the digital divide.
In the words of Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, “Connectivity is more than infrastructure; it is the foundation for inclusive development.” His statement reinforces the fact that the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit focuses on building an open and inclusive digital future, particularly for communities still left behind by rapid technological change.
Table of Contents
Bridging the global connectivity gap
A pressing concern at the summit is that approximately 2.6 billion people worldwide remain offline. For many in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, access to mobile and broadband internet does not automatically translate to meaningful use. This challenge underscores why the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit focuses on building an open and inclusive digital future: closing the connectivity gap is essential for inclusive growth.
John Hoffman, CEO of the GSMA, pointed out that mobile coverage alone is insufficient. “We need affordable, reliable services paired with education and digital literacy,” he said. Nigeria, with its mix of urban tech hubs and rural communities still struggling for connectivity, exemplifies this challenge.
Experts agree that sustainable investment in infrastructure, policy, and training is vital. With these measures, countries can fully participate in the digital economy and ensure that no one is left behind — a key message that resonates throughout the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, which focuses on building an open and inclusive digital future.
Artificial intelligence and responsible governance
Artificial intelligence (AI) is another core focus of the summit. As technology reshapes economies and societies, ethical and governance considerations have become paramount. The World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit focuses on building an open and inclusive digital future by promoting AI policies that are safe, fair, and globally cooperative.
China has proposed the establishment of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization to guide responsible AI development and collaboration. Eddie Wu, CEO of Alibaba, stressed that AI must be an enabler for everyone, not just a tool for advanced economies. He noted, “Digital intelligence can bridge gaps if applied thoughtfully.”
Security and data protection remain central concerns. Hu Zhenquan, president of 360 Digital Security Group, highlighted the need to govern AI carefully to prevent misuse of data. By prioritising safety and transparency, the summit ensures that the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit focuses on building an open and inclusive digital future, where technology serves all people equally.
Showcasing innovation and real-world solutions
Beyond policy talks, the summit celebrates tangible achievements in technology. Awards have been given to projects such as GitHub Copilot, the open-source large language model Qwen, and China’s BDS-3 satellite navigation applications. These innovations highlight how digital intelligence can be applied to real-world challenges, from agriculture to education to healthcare.
The anniversary of the summit’s ten-year vision further reinforces its goals: building “a community with a shared future in cyberspace.” For countries like Nigeria, this is a unique chance to engage with global leaders, contribute local insights, and shape technologies that address regional needs.
As highlighted by participants, collaboration, governance, and inclusivity are essential for progress. By showcasing innovation alongside policy frameworks, the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit focuses on building an open and inclusive digital future, making it clear that digital intelligence is a shared resource for all.
Conclusion
The World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit focuses on building an open and inclusive digital future, and its message resonates far beyond Wuzhen. For Africa and other emerging regions, this is both an opportunity and a challenge: bridging infrastructure gaps, improving digital literacy, and creating policies that ensure equitable access to technology.
Whether it is expanding rural broadband in Nigeria, deploying AI responsibly in Kenya, or enhancing smart-city initiatives across Ghana, the summit provides both a blueprint and inspiration. By putting inclusivity at the heart of the digital agenda, the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit focuses on building an open and inclusive digital future, one that leaves no one behind in an increasingly connected world.
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